Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 14 · 2026-09-04

IELTS Writing Task 1 question

The chart below shows the value of one country’s exports in various categories during 2015 and 2016. The table shows the percentage change in each category of exports in 2016 compared with 2015.

Summarise the information by selecting and reporting the main features, and make comparisons where relevant.

Student answer (Band 5.5)

The chart illustrates the value of a country's exports in various categories between 2015 and 2016 while the table represents the percentage change in single category of exports in 2016 compared with 2015.

Overall, on the x-axis we have product category and on the y-axis we can see export earnings in billions. The table shows the difference in percentages in two years that came from earning.

First of all, in 2016, earning was 62 billion dollars that was slightly higher than previous year with increase in percentage by value of 3% . Engineering goods and textiles had also displayed the same trend. In 2016, from engineering goods almost 61 billion dollars were generated and nearly 55 billion dollars came in 2015 which was slightly less than 2016 and percentage difference increased to 8.5%.

Regarding, from textiles approximately 31 billion dollars earned in 2016 as well as 25 billion dollars in 2015, and percentage showed the highest value 15.24%. If we see, gems and jewellery, it showed contrasted trend. Here more income got in 2015 that was 42 billion dollars while in next year, earnings declined and reached 40 billion dollars and percentage also declined to 5.18%. At last, agricultural products exhibited a marginal increase in 2016 from 31 billion dollars in 2015 to 32 million dollars.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.5

The response covers all parts of the task, including the chart and the table. You have successfully identified the main features and made relevant comparisons, such as noting the contrasting trend for gems and jewellery. However, the analysis is somewhat descriptive rather than analytical. For instance, you list data points without always synthesising them into a clear overview of the trends. Additionally, there is a factual error in the final sentence where you mention '32 million dollars' instead of '32 billion dollars', which impacts the accuracy of the data reporting. To reach a higher band, ensure that the overview highlights the most significant trends rather than just listing individual figures.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.0

The response is organised into paragraphs, and there is a logical progression of ideas. You use some cohesive devices, such as 'Regarding', 'If we see', and 'At last', to link your points. However, some of these transitions feel slightly mechanical or unnatural. The referencing is generally clear, but the flow between sentences could be improved by using more sophisticated linking phrases to connect the data from the chart with the percentages from the table more fluidly. Paragraphing is present, but the introduction and overview could be more clearly separated from the body paragraphs to improve the overall structure.

Lexical Resource — Band 5.5

You demonstrate an adequate range of vocabulary for the task, using terms like 'illustrates', 'generated', 'declined', and 'marginal increase'. However, the range is somewhat limited, and there are instances of awkward phrasing, such as 'percentage difference increased to 8.5%' and 'more income got in 2015'. These choices are functional but lack the precision and sophistication required for higher bands. To improve, focus on using more precise collocations related to data reporting, such as 'experienced a growth of' or 'witnessed a downward trend', and ensure that units of measurement (billions vs. millions) are used consistently and accurately.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.5

You use a mix of simple and complex sentence structures. While many sentences are clear, there are several grammatical errors that occasionally impede the flow, such as 'earning was 62 billion dollars that was slightly higher' (missing articles) and 'percentage difference increased to 8.5%' (which is slightly ambiguous). There are also minor punctuation and preposition issues, such as 'Regarding, from textiles...'. While these errors do not prevent the reader from understanding the data, they occur frequently enough to limit the score. Increasing the variety of complex structures and ensuring subject-verb agreement would help improve your score in this criterion.

See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.

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